Children and Chinese entry rules: what the official texts say about minors

The official texts cited here mention age in four places. The consular FAQ says visa-waiver requirements for minors are the same as for adults. The S1 visa row and its document section mention sons and daughters under 18. The Exit and Entry Administration Law sets an age of 16 for carrying travel documents (Article 38) and a 60-day registration limit for foreign infants born in China (Article 40). Each applies only to the case it describes, so they do not add up to a general rule for children.

Visa-free entry for minors

The FAQ on visa-free entry, published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC on China Consular Services, asks:

Is there any additional requirement for minors eligible for a visa waiver?

Its answer is:

Visa waiver requirements for minors are the same as for adults.

The FAQ page carries the same country list and expiry information as for adults. Those facts change, so check the list and the expiry dates on the official page before you travel.

Visa class S1

The category table in the Visa Application Instructions, published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC, describes the S1 class this way:

Issued to those who intend to go to China to visit the foreigners residing in China for work, study or other purposes, to whom they are spouses, parents, sons or daughters under the age of 18 or parents-in-law, and to those who need to reside in China for other private affairs. The intended duration of stay in China exceeds 180 days.

The S1 document section lists the kinship that must be shown. It names "sons or daughters under the age of 18" among the relationships. The section asks for the original and a photocopy of certification showing that kinship, and the examples it gives end with "etc." Those examples are marriage certificate, birth certificate, kinship certification issued by the public security police station, and notarized kinship certificate.

Carrying travel documents from age 16

Article 38 of the Exit and Entry Administration Law, in the English text published by the National Immigration Administration, says:

Foreigners having reached the age of 16 who stay or reside in China shall carry with them their passports or other international travel documents, or foreigners' stay or residence permits, and accept the inspection of public security organs.

This is the only provision in the Law cited here that sets an age for carrying documents.

Foreign infants born in China

Article 40 of the same Law covers foreign infants born in China. It says:

For foreign infants born in China, their parents or agents shall, within 60 days after they are born, on the strength of the birth certificates, go through the formalities for stay or residence registration for them with the exit/entry administrations of public security organs under people's governments at or above the county level in the places of their parents' stay or residence.

The 60-day limit applies to the registration described in that sentence. The Article does not address infants who are not born in China.

Documents for a minor's visa application

The Visa Application Instructions point applicants to the relevant embassy or consulate for the details. Section III, Important Tips, says:

For further details, please visit the website of the relevant Chinese Embassy or Consulate-General abroad.

The documents a minor's visa application needs are set by the embassy or consulate handling it. Check that office's own page before you apply.

Sources

• FAQs on Visa-free Entry into China, China Consular Services website, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC
• Exit and Entry Administration Law of the People's Republic of China (English text), National Immigration Administration
• Visa Application Instructions of the People's Republic of China, China Consular Services website, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC

Checked 10 and 11 October 2026

This page is an unofficial summary. It is not published by or affiliated with the National Immigration Administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, any embassy, consulate or visa application service centre. It is not legal or immigration advice. If the official text differs from this page, the official text and the current notice of the office handling your case prevail.